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Hungary

Hungary offers travellers a slice of classic, Central European grace and grandeur. With cobbled streets, charming castles, magnificent concert halls and historic churches, Hungary is all class. But what might surprise travellers is that Hungary is also a burgeoning wine-producing region, home to bucolic villages, thermal lakes, steaming hot springs and markets filled with organic produce - what's not to love?

Best time to visit Hungary

July and August are the busiest months for tourists in Europe, outside of these times it tends to be less crowded. The Hungarian summer is warm, sunny and unusually long, but the tourist areas tend to get very crowded in late July and August, so some of the best months to visit are May, June and September. Hungary can be a little wet in May and June, but spring is just glorious. Autumn is beautiful, particularly in the hills around Budapest and in the Northern Uplands. Hungarian winters are typically cold and bleak, with museums and other tourist sights often closing.

Geography and environment

Located in Central Europe, landlocked Hungary shares borders with Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria. While most of Hungary is flat, there's some mountainous terrain to be found in the north and near the Austrian border. While Hungary has no coastline, the country is rich in rivers, brooks, lakes and hot springs, with the Danube and the Tisza flowing through, as well as other tributaries. Blessed with a vast amount of arable land, Hungary has an extensive agriculture/viticulture industry, with vineyards, orchards, farms and grazing livestock a common sight when travelling out of the city.

Top Picks

Top 5 Classic Castles of Hungary

1. Vajdahunyad Castle

A blend of many different architectural styles, this urban castle located in Budapest showcases Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque and Renaissance features. Modelled on a Transylvanian castle, this unique building is now home to a museum dedicated to Hungarian agriculture, wine making and forestry.

2. Fisherman's Bastion

Providing exceptional panoramic views of Budapest, this white stone castle-like structure was built in 1905. Retaining a distinct 'Disney-like' air, this charming building has winding staircases, towers, parapets and a conical roof - hallmarks of all good fairytales!

3. Festetics Palace

This Baroque palace located in Zala County may technically not be a castle but definitely has all the opulence and grandeur of one. Built in the 18th century for the wealthy Festetics Family, this palace is now home to a coveted book collection (considered the greatest surviving aristocratic library in Hungary) as well as a museum and concert hall.

4. Castle of Eger

This ancient castle has survived invasions, explosions and the ravages of time to become one of Eger's most popular attractions. Surrounded by cobbled streets, the panoramic views from atop the fortress walls are splendid in clear weather.

5. Brunswick Castle

Built in 1775 for Count Antal Brunswick, this grand neo-gothic castle once played host to Beethoven. Now surrounded by a nature reserve and home to a museum, church and research institute, this impressive castle just outside of Budapest is well worth a day trip.

Most toilets in Hungary are of the modern, flushable variety. Public toilets are quite scarce in Hungary and expect to pay a small fee when visiting, as is standard practice in many other Central European countries.

Major credit cards are usually accepted by large hotels, restaurants, boutiques and shops. Smaller retailers like family-run restaurants, market stalls and small shops may not accept credit cards, so always carry enough cash to cover smaller purchases.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of your trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

Please note these dates are for 2013. For a current list of public holidays go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/hungary/public-holidays

Health and Safety

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

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The World Health Organisation

Responsible Travel

Hungary Travel Tips

Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.

Top responsible travel tips for Hungary

1. Be considerate of Hungary’s customs, traditions, religion and culture.

2. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water.

3. Always dispose of litter thoughtfully, including cigarette butts.

4. Learn some local language and don't be afraid to use it - simple greetings will help break the ice.